Assignments due October 28th and November 4th

Assignment due October 28th:

Choose ANY CURRENT aviation topic that we have not addressed in class and complete the following:

1) Give a brief (1 paragraph) history of the topic.
2) Discuss why this topic is a significant current issue in the aviation industry.
3) Discuss the future of the topic - 5 year prediction.
4) How is this topic significant to your career?

As stated in class, topics are first come, first serve. When you come up with your topic idea, please post it as a comment at the bottom of this post.

Assignment due November 4th:

Choose any topic that one of your classmates wrote about in the previous assignment and write about that topic from a different angle - that angle can be a slightly different subject within the same topic area or an opposing opinion.

I am not laying out any specific format or questions that you have to answer in this assignment. Just remember that this is a 400-level course and write accordingly.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Assignment due October 21st, 2012

Time to talk about China....

Specifically, General Aviation in China.

In July of this year, Hawker Beechcraft sold its business jet and general aviation operations to a Chinese aerospace manufacturer - Superior Aviation Beijing Co, Ltd.. This is not the only US general aviation manufacturing company to utilize China for support.

Additionally, China's general aviation industry, after being somewhat nonexistent, is in a period of rapid growth.

For this week's assignment, answer the following questions:

1) In addition to Hawker Beechcraft, discuss another US general aviation manufacturer with ties to China. Explain the details - who, what is the relationship, why did the relationship develop and any ramifications to the US  general aviation industry.

2) What are the reasons for this "rapid growth" in the Chinese general aviation industry?

3) What is the relationship between these US general aviation manufacturers with ties to China and the growth in the Chinese general aviation industry?

4) Most importantly, what does all the above mean for career opportunities in the US general aviation sector?

Have a blast!

Assignment due October 7th

Regionals...

Ok, I know I said that I would stay away from "airlines" this week, but in light of Izzy coming to speak to class next week about her experiences as a regional pilot, I felt that this would be a good week to explore the topic of regional air carriers.

On September 29th, Comair seized operations. Please answer the following questions:

1) Give the history of Comair. When/Where/Why/How did they start? Have they been an independent carrier or owned?
2) Why did Comair seize operations...what are the reasons for their downfall?
3) What is the overall financial status of the regional airline industry? Why is it changing?
4) As mainline airlines restructure their use of the regional carriers, what, if any, opportunities may open  up for regionals?

Final, unrelated question:
Pilots answer #1. Management answer #2.

1) Look up one regional carrier that is still operating. Are they hiring any pilot positions? If not, when was the last time that they hired? What is the starting pay of an first officer? Please provide a link to this information.
2) Look up one regional carrier that is still operating. Are the hiring any management positions? If so, which positions? If not, what would be possible management positions at the company in the future? Please provide a link to this information.

As always, have fun!